Golf Comment: A review of 2014 in golf: European Ryder Cup joy and McIlroy’s ingenuity December 22, 2014 Highlights from a vintage year and predictions for 2015 MOMENT OF THE YEAR MY FAVOURITE golfing moment of 2014 is immortalised in the now-iconic images of Jamie Donaldson surrounded by a throng of photographers and well-wishers after effectively winning the Ryder Cup. As one of Paul McGinley’s vice-captains, I was out on the course at [...]
Henry arrival set to lift Hammers quest to reach Champions League December 22, 2014 WEST Ham are set to boost their bid to secure unlikely Champions League qualification by reinforcing their defensive options with the signing of Canada youngster Doneil Henry next month. Henry, who impressed Hammers manager Sam Allardyce during a trial earlier this year, has been granted a work permit to complete a transfer from Cypriot side [...]
Oyston sorry for text abuse December 22, 2014 BLACKPOOL chairman Karl Oyston last night apologised for sending abusive text messages to one of the club’s supporters during an angry, expletive-ridden exchange. Football League board member Oyston was accused of branding Steve Smith a “massive retard” during the row which erupted last month, while also referring to him as an “intellectual cripple”. Oyston said: [...]
Premier League: Skrtel reopens old wounds as Arsenal falter December 21, 2014 LIVERPOOL 2 ARSENAL 2 ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger blamed a hangover from last season’s 5-1 humiliation for a lukewarm performance and another late surrender at 10-man Liverpool yesterday. Goals from defender Mathieu Debuchy and striker Olivier Giroud cancelled out Philippe Coutinho’s opener and put the Gunners on course to take all three Premier League points [...]
Records tumble as Wasps enjoy home comforts December 21, 2014 WASPS fly-half Andy Goode hailed the perfect start to life in Coventry as records tumbled during his side’s bonus-point 48-16 victory over London Irish at yesterday’s Ricoh Arena curtain-raiser. Goode set a new Premiership record by scoring 33 points – the 34-year-old successfully kicked eight penalties and two conversions to add to a second-half touchdown [...]
Hayden lambasts Pietersen’s England exile December 21, 2014 FORMER Australia batsman Matthew Hayden yesterday labelled ex-England skipper Kevin Pietersen’s enforced exile from international duty “ludicrous”. The 34-year-old is England’s highest run-scorer across all formats of the game but saw his central contract terminated in February following last winter’s dismal Ashes tour, before releasing his controversial book KP: The Autobiography in October. Pietersen remains [...]
Sport Comment: Squad’s better but Gunners lack balance December 21, 2014 IT WAS no 5-1, but in its own way yesterday’s draw at Anfield was another reminder of just how far Arsenal are from being capable of mounting a concerted Premier League title challenge. For all the money spent during the summer – £80m on Alexis Sanchez, Danny Welbeck and others – the Gunners’ level of [...]
Chelsea bid to exorcise last season’s Britannia ghost and re-establish Premier League cushion December 21, 2014 TABLE-TOPPERS Chelsea head into tonight’s Premier League clash with Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium aiming to re-establish a three-point cushion at the Premier League summit. Reigning champions Manchester City hauled themselves level with the Blues courtesy of a 3-0 victory over Crystal Palace at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, with goal difference the only [...]
Premier League: Poyet’s Johnson whim results in Pardew wearing unenviable tag December 21, 2014 NEWCASTLE UNITED 0 SUNDERLAND 1 SUNDERLAND boss Gus Poyet admitted he contemplated substituting Adam Johnson shortly before the former England winger proved the last-gasp match-winner in yesterday’s Tyne-Wear derby against Newcastle at St James’ Park. Johnson rounded off a swift Black Cats’ counter-attack in the 90th minute as Sunderland extended their unbeaten run against Newcastle [...]
Ali aides calm fears after boxing icon hospitalised by pneumonia December 21, 2014 FEARS for the health of boxing great Muhammad Ali have resurfaced after he was hospitalised with pneumonia. The 72-year-old three-time world heavyweight champion was admitted on Saturday, though his spokesman indicated Ali was expected to make a quick recovery. “Because the pneumonia was caught early, his prognosis is good with a short hospital stay expected,” [...]